Shocking internal International Olympic Committee emails obtained by Sputnik reveal that in 2016 a bronze medal winning South African triathlete tested positive for a "performance improving" drug, without providing a Therapeutic Use Exemption from his doctor.

Henri Schoeman is a 27-year-old South African triathlete, who has racked up an impressive record over the course of a comparatively brief sporting career — he represented his country at the 2016 ITU World Triathlon Grand Final in Cozumel, winning gold, the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, where he won bronze in the men's triathlon, and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, securing a silver medal in the mixed relay. His 2016 bronze marked the first Olympic medal South Africa has won in the sport.

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I'm South African born Aussie, very happy that Saffa's got a look in at Triathlon - love following RD Murray - but watching Schoeman since the Olympics, especially at Super League Hamilton things really didn't add up about how he suddenly nabbed bronze against the big names at the olympics.

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It makes no sense either. He tested positive. He wrote it on the form. He didn't have a TUE and didn't get a retrospective one. How has he been cleared? If the B sample cleared then just say that, otherwise this needs an explanation

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STATEMENT: Following the investigation opened by ITU and the IOC on @H_Schoeman, ITU wants to declare that the case was not considered to show any Anti-Doping rule violation and we thank Schoeman for his full cooperation during the process

ITU (via triathlon.org)

Quote

Following the investigation opened by ITU and the IOC over the publication on some media outlets of allegations involving Henri Schoeman and an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) that would have occurred during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, all parties involved want to declare that the case was not considered to be any Anti-Doping rule violation.

The result management went in accordance with the WADA rules and the process concluded that no AAF was recorded.As a result, the case was not considered to be, nor did it result in, an Anti-Doping Rule violation.

ITU wants to acknowledge and thank Mr. Henri Schoeman, who has been fully cooperative, providing any information to both the IOC and to ITU during this investigation process, since the information was publicly disclosed.

ITU President, Marisol Casado, said: “We feel extremely satisfied that this investigation is completely closed and clears the name of an athlete who has been cooperative, supportive and always assisted ITU and the IOC to clarify these circumstances, even under a lot of pressure. The professionalism and openness shown by Henri Schoeman should be an example for any athlete that could face a situation like this. In ITU we strongly believe in clean sport, because that’s what makes our sport, and our athletes, great”.

ITU Anti-Doping Director, Leslie Buchanan, said: “Every year, ITU commits its time, effort, energy and a substantial budget to our anti-doping mission, and we will continue to do so. Our organization is absolutely committed to eradicating the use of prohibited substances and methods in triathlon, but ITU is also fully committed to protecting our athletes in instances such as this”.

The IOC is investigating the circumstances in which the information about Henri Schoeman was publicly disclosed and is taking steps to protect athletes’ confidential information. The IOC strongly condemns and will prosecute any unlawful attempts to disclose any confidential information.

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Well we know not to trust sporting bodies who have only their own interests at heart. We also know that there is no transparency to give us confidence as to why a positive test result without a TUE should result in no AAF.